Packaged vacuum pump and oil pump, and system and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A packaged vacuum pump and oil pump for use in a vehicle generally includes an oil pump module and a vacuum pump module. The oil pump module is configured to circulate oil, and is fitted to a first drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the oil pump module. The vacuum pump module is configured to generate a vacuum, and is fitted to a second drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the vacuum pump module. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump also includes a clutch. The clutch connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, and is configured to transfer torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft when the clutch is engaged. The clutch may be a hydraulic clutch configured to receive a pressurized fluid, which may be oil received from the oil pump module, to engage the clutch.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaged vacuum pump and oil pump for a vehicle, a vehicular vacuum system implementing the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump, and a method of operating the vehicular vacuum system thereof.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles employ vacuum pumps to be used in various systems within the vehicle. One such system is the power braking system, which generally includes a hydraulic master cylinder and a vacuum booster or canister. The master cylinder contains the braking fluid that is distributed to the brake disks or drums. The vacuum booster is positioned between the master cylinder and the brake pedal, and multiplies the braking force applied by a driver of the vehicle. The vacuum booster requires a vacuum source to periodically regenerate the vacuum within the vacuum booster. One source is the manifold vacuum of the vehicle's internal combustion engine. However, as internal combustion engines have become increasingly efficient, the amount of manifold vacuum available has decreased. As such, many vehicles now implement a separate vacuum pump to generate the vacuum stored in the vacuum booster.

Vehicles also generally include an oil pump to circulate oil throughout the engine of the vehicle. The oil is used to lubricate various components of the engine, as well as to cool the engine.

SUMMARY

A packaged vacuum pump and oil pump for a vehicle is provided. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump generally includes an oil pump module and a vacuum pump module. The oil pump module is configured to circulate oil, and is fitted to a first drive shaft. The vacuum pump module is configured to generate a vacuum, and is fitted to a second drive shaft. The first drive shaft is configured to transmit torque to the oil pump module, and the second drive shaft is configured to transmit torque to the vacuum pump module.

The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump also includes a clutch that connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. The clutch is configured to transfer torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft when the clutch is engaged. The clutch may be a hydraulic clutch that is configured to receive a pressurized fluid to engage the clutch. The pressurized fluid may be oil received from the oil pump module.

The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump may further include a control valve to control the pressurized fluid received by the clutch. The control valve may be a solenoid valve.

A vehicular vacuum system is also provided. The vehicular vacuum system includes the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump described above, as well as a vacuum canister. The vacuum canister is configured to maintain a negative pressure.

A method for operating the vehicular vacuum system is also provided. The method first includes providing torque to the first drive shaft such that the oil pump module is in operation. The method then includes engaging the clutch to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft such that the vacuum pump module is in operation. Where the clutch is a hydraulic clutch configured to receive oil from the oil pump, the engaging of the clutch may be accomplished by opening, by a control valve, a supply of oil from the oil pump module to the clutch. The method then includes generating, by the vacuum pump module, a vacuum to be stored in the vacuum canister such that it maintains a negative pressure.

The method may further include disengaging the clutch such that the vacuum pump module is not in operation. This may be accomplished by closing, by the control valve, a supply of oil from the oil pump module to the clutch.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of a packaged vacuum pump and oil pump with an oil pump module, a vacuum pump module, and a clutch;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic, perspective views of the clutch of FIG. 1 in an engaged state and a disengaged state, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, flow and block diagram of a vehicular vacuum system incorporating the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic, flow diagram illustrating a method of operating the vehicular vacuum system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components wherever possible throughout the several figures, a packaged vacuum pump and oil pump 10 to be used in a vehicle (not shown) is shown in FIG. 1. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump 10 generally includes an oil pump module 12 and a vacuum pump module 14. The oil pump module 12 is configured to circulate oil to various parts of an engine (not shown) of the vehicle. The vacuum pump module 14 is configured to generate a vacuum, which may be stored and utilized in other systems in the vehicle, as explained in more detail hereinafter. The vacuum pump module 14 generally may be a mechanical vacuum pump.

The oil pump module 12 is fitted to a first drive shaft 16, and the vacuum pump module 14 is fitted to a second drive shaft 18. The first drive shaft 16 is configured to transmit torque to the oil pump module 12 such that it may be in operation. The first drive shaft 16 may receive rotary motion from another component of the engine of the vehicle, including, but not limited to, a camshaft (not shown). As such, the first drive shaft 16 may be continuously rotating, and as such, the oil pump module 12 may be in constant operation, with the engine.

The second drive shaft 18 is configured to transmit torque to the vacuum pump module 14. The first drive shaft 16 and the second drive shaft 18 share a common axis, and are connected to each other at their respective ends via a clutch 20, depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B and described in more detail hereinafter. The clutch 20 is configured to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft 16 to the second drive shaft 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the clutch 20 is shown in an engaged state and a disengaged state, respectively. The clutch 20 generally includes a drive plate 22 and a clutch plate 24. The drive plate 22 is attached to an end of the first drive shaft 16 such that it rotates with the first drive shaft 16. The clutch plate 24 is attached to an end of the second drive shaft 18.

When the clutch 20 is engaged, the drive plate 22 is driven toward the clutch plate 24 until they are in contact with each other. Friction between the drive plate 22 and the clutch plate 24 allows the rotation, and therefore the torque, from the first drive shaft 16 to be transferred to the clutch plate 24, and therefore to the second drive shaft 18. The clutch 20 may be engaged only when the vacuum pump module 14 is needed to generate vacuum. As such, the vacuum pump module 14 may be operated intermittently in lieu of constant operation, in which excess vacuum may be unnecessarily generated, thereby reducing the amount of energy used in the vehicle.

The clutch 20 may be a hydraulic clutch configured to receive a pressurized fluid to engage the clutch 20. More specifically, the pressurized fluid may drive the drive plate 22 to contact the clutch plate 24. The pressurized fluid may be oil received from the oil pump module 12, as depicted in FIG. 3 and described in more detail hereinafter. It should be appreciated that the pressurized fluid may come from any other source within the vehicle, including, but not limited to, brake fluid used in a hydraulic braking system (not shown) of the vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a vehicular vacuum system 100 implementing the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump 10 is shown. In addition to the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump 10, the vehicular vacuum system 100 includes a vacuum canister 102. The vacuum canister 102 is configured to store vacuum generated by the vacuum pump module 14 to maintain a negative pressure. The vacuum may be transmitted from the vacuum pump module 14 to the vacuum canister 102 through a vacuum line 104. The vacuum line 104 may be, but is not limited to, a hose, pipe, or the like. The vacuum stored within the vacuum canister 102 may then be used in any other system (not shown) of the vehicle that requires vacuum, including, but not limited to, the hydraulic braking system.

In addition, as explained above, the clutch 20 may be a hydraulic clutch that receives oil from the oil pump module 12 to engage the clutch 20. To control the supply of oil from the oil pump module 12 to the clutch 20, the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump 10 may include a control valve 26. The control valve 26 generally is any on/off valve capable of controlling the flow of a fluid. The control valve 26 may be, but is not limited to, a solenoid valve. While FIG. 3 shows the control valve 26 controlling the supply of oil to the clutch 20, it should be appreciated that the control valve 26 may control the supply of any other pressurized fluid used in the system 100 in lieu of oil to engage the clutch 20.

The oil may flow from the oil pump module 12 to the control valve 26 through a first oil line 28. When it is desired for the vacuum pump module 14 to be in operation, and therefore, for the clutch 20 to be engaged, the control valve 26 may open the supply of oil from the control valve 26 to the clutch 20 through a second oil line 30. The oil may then aid in driving the drive plate 22 to contact the clutch plate 24 such that the torque from the first drive shaft 16 may be transferred to the second drive shaft 18, thereby enabling the vacuum pump module 14 to be in operation, as explained above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method 200 of operating the vehicular vacuum system 100 is shown. Method 200 begins at step 202 in which rotary motion, or torque, is provided to the first drive shaft 16 such that the oil pump module 12 is in operation. As explained above, the first drive shaft 16 may receive its rotary motion from another component within the engine of the vehicle, such as the camshaft.

After step 202, method 200 proceeds to step 204. At step 204, the clutch 20 is engaged to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft 16 to the second drive shaft 18 such that the vacuum pump module 14 is in operation. This may be accomplished by the control valve 26 opening the supply of oil, or any other pressurized fluid, to the clutch 20.

After step 204, method 200 proceeds to step 206. At step 206, the vacuum pump module 14 generates vacuum to be stored in the vacuum canister 102. The vacuum may then be used by another system within the vehicle as needed.

Method 200 may further include disengaging the clutch 20, such that the vacuum pump module 14 is no longer in operation. This may be desired when vacuum is no longer needed by the vehicular vacuum system 100, such as when the vacuum canister 102 is full or reaches a desired pressure. Similar to step 204, this may be accomplished by the control valve 26 closing off the supply of oil, or any other pressurized fluid, to the clutch 20.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims. 

1. A packaged vacuum pump and oil pump for a vehicle, the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump comprising: an oil pump module configured to circulate oil, the oil pump module being fitted to a first drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the oil pump module; a vacuum pump module configured to generate a vacuum, the vacuum pump module being fitted to a second drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the vacuum pump module; and a clutch connecting the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, the clutch being configured to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft when the clutch is engaged.
 2. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of claim 1 wherein the vacuum pump module is a mechanical vacuum pump.
 3. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of claim 1 wherein the clutch is a hydraulic clutch configured to receive a pressurized fluid to engage the clutch.
 4. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of claim 3 wherein the pressurized fluid is oil received from the oil pump module.
 5. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of claim 3 further comprising a control valve configured to control the pressurized fluid received by the clutch.
 6. The packaged vacuum pump and oil pump of claim 5 wherein the control valve is a solenoid valve.
 7. A vehicular vacuum system comprising: a packaged vacuum pump and oil pump having: an oil pump module configured to circulate oil, the oil pump module being fitted to a first drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the oil pump module; a vacuum pump module configured to generate a vacuum, the vacuum pump module being fitted to a second drive shaft configured to transmit torque to the vacuum pump module; and a clutch connecting the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, the clutch being configured to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft when the clutch is engaged; and a vacuum canister configured to maintain a negative pressure.
 8. The vehicular vacuum system of claim 7 wherein the vacuum pump module of the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump is a mechanical vacuum pump.
 9. The vehicular vacuum system of claim 7 wherein the clutch of the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump is a hydraulic clutch configured to receive a pressurized fluid to engage the clutch.
 10. The vehicular vacuum system of claim 9 wherein the pressurized fluid is oil received from the oil pump module.
 11. The vehicular vacuum system of claim 9 wherein the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump further comprises a control valve to control the pressurized fluid received by the clutch.
 12. The vehicular vacuum system of claim 11 wherein the control valve is a solenoid valve.
 13. A method of operating a vehicular vacuum system having a packaged vacuum pump and oil pump, and a vacuum canister, the packaged vacuum pump and oil pump having an oil pump module fitted to a first drive shaft, a vacuum pump module fitted to a second drive shaft, and a clutch connecting the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, the method comprising: providing torque to the first drive shaft such that the oil pump module is in operation; engaging the clutch to transfer the torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft such that the vacuum pump module is in operation; and generating, by the vacuum pump module, a vacuum to be stored in the vacuum canister such that it maintains a negative pressure.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the clutch is a hydraulic clutch operating on oil received from the oil pump module.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the engaging of the clutch comprises opening, by a control valve, a supply of oil from the oil pump module to the clutch.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the control valve is a solenoid valve
 17. The method of claim 13 further comprising disengaging the clutch such that the vacuum pump module is not in operation.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the disengaging of the clutch comprises closing, by a control valve, a supply of oil from the oil pump module to the clutch. 